Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson speaks to the media at the Westin hotel in Jersey City, N.J., on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014. The Seahawks are preparing to face the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl on Sunday. (Thomas A. Ferrara/Newsday/MCT)

NEW YORK — One day last week during a Broncos film session, running back Montee Ball suddenly realized he had covered more ground in his rookie season than his 559 rushing yards suggest.

Seeing wasn’t believing for Ball. Hearing was.

“Peyton (Manning) comes up to me and says, ‘You’ve come a long way,'” Ball said. “As a rookie you want to gain respect in the locker room from the vets, so I’m glad it finally started happening. What Peyton said really hit home.”

Ball sounded just as happy about the Wisconsin homecoming Super Bowl XLVIII week has become. Former Badgers quarterback Russell Wilson leads the Seahawks. Wilson’s teammates include safety Chris Maragos and linebacker O’Brien Schofield, reserves who played at Wisconsin. His offensive coordinator, Darrell Bevell, left college in 1995 as Wisconsin’s all-time passing leader.

“This is so cool for the program,” Maragos said.

Welcome to the Badger Bowl. You almost expect Bruno Mars to open his halftime show with “On, Wisconsin.” It marks the most former Badgers to play in a Super Bowl, prompting the school to dispatch a videographer to media day Tuesday to interview the former players for posterity.

“You’re always trying to sell yourself to recruits, so it’s free advertising that just gives us more credibility when you do it on a big stage like this with two of your most prominent (former) players,” Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez said Wednesday. “You look at Russell and you see someone who does everything the right way, someone who (transferred in as a fifth-year senior) and they made him do the things the incoming freshmen do because he was a new guy, and he didn’t flinch. He won everyone over in a month.

“With Montee, I think back a few years ago, he was sitting there as the third tailback. He trimmed down, changed his body and prepared himself for what followed. They both earned this.”

Somewhere, Bret Bielema smiles just as proudly. The former Wisconsin coach, who bolted for Arkansas last year, communicates regularly with Wilson and shares the same agent with Ball.

The last time Ball and Wilson shared the spotlight came at the podium after the 2012 Rose Bowl loss to Oregon. Wilson had just completed a wildly successful, whirlwind season after coming from North Carolina State and adjusting quickly enough to be named co-captain. Ball, the Chicago Tribune’s Silver Football winner as a junior, had led the nation in rushing yards.

A Heisman Trophy candidate heading into 2012, Ball suffered a concussion in August before training camp when he was assaulted a block from his apartment. Whether because of lingering effects of the incident or other factors, he experienced a slight drop-off his senior year that played a role in dropping into the NFL draft’s second round — where the Broncos felt fortunate to nab him.

Ball struggled early, losing two fumbles in the first three games. He fumbled only twice in 924 carries at Wisconsin.

“I was like, these players are really flying toward the football, so I have to work on my details and hold on to it,” Ball said.

To improve his grip, Ball relied on another Wisconsin connection — Broncos running backs coach Eric Studesville, a native of Madison. As Ball gradually regained confidence, the Broncos restored their trust. The running back with 22 carries in two playoff games who will challenge the NFL’s top defense Sunday night at MetLife Stadium should resemble the one a large Wisconsin audience fondly remembers.

“I started out rough, but better late than never,” said Ball, who complemented starter Knowshon Moreno by averaging 4.7 yards per carry. “I’m glad I finally started doing things at the end. That’s why they drafted me, for the final push. I’m glad I really cracked down.”

First, Ball had to make sure he wouldn’t crack. He admitted entering the same huddle with Manning initially intimidated him more than blocking an NFL pass rusher. He spoke of the Hall of Fame-bound quarterback like he would his most demanding coach.

“He’s strict at times, but that’s great,” Ball said. “At Wisconsin, our offense was basic. Coming from a college playbook to an NFL playbook was already difficult. But coming to a Hall of Famer’s playbook was a whole other story.”

Manning’s meticulousness reminded Ball of the quarterback who walked around Wisconsin’s campus carrying notecards to learn new plays. The same guy who would scold Ball for running a 5-yard pass route 4 yards.

“Russell and Peyton both have great mastery of the game and are very detailed and anal about the smallest things,” Ball said, chuckling. “I’m fortunate to have played with both guys. Not every player gets a chance to play in a Super Bowl. It’s a rare moment.”

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